Connector block

ABSTRACT

A CONNECTOR BLOCK FOR RECEIVING AND REMOVABLY HOLDING AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL IN A CAVITY IS PROVIDED WITH A CAM AND A LATCH LONGITUDINALLY SPACED ALONG ONE SIDE OF THE CAVITY SO THAT DURING INSERTION OF THE TERMINAL INTO THE CAVITY THE CAM ENGAGES THE TERMINAL AND HOLDS THE LATCH AWAY FROM THE TERMINAL TO PREVENT WEARING AWAY OF THE LATCH BY REPEATED INSERTION OF THE TERMINAL INTO THE CAVITY. WHEN THE TERMINAL IS FULLY INSERTED, THE LATCH FALLS IN PLACE TO SECURE THE TERMINAL IN THE CAVITY. THE CAM AND LATCH ARE LOCATED ON A FLEXIBLE STRIP FORMED IN THE SIDE OF THE CAVITY WITH BOTH ENDS OF THE STRIP SECURED TO THE BLOCK TO FACILITATE MOVEMENT OF THE CAM AND LATCH AWAY FROM THE TERMINAL BY FLEXING OF HE STRIP.

Aug; 15, 1972 g, slTZLER ETAL Re. 27,463

CONNECTOR BLOCK Original Filed Oct. .11. 1967 FIGS INVENTORS S M L M RL2 $7 w A f/ T E 17 K S fir m DRN ERE REUW J F Q I 1 4 M L Y B 6 5 F 8 5United States Patent (3 27,463 CONNECTOR BLOCK Fred C. Sitzier,Mechanicsburg, Pa., Jerry A. Kendall, Garland, Tex., and Quentin Berg,New Cumberland, Pa.; said Sitzler and said Kendall assignors to BergElectronics, Inc.

Original No. 3,430,185, dated Feb. 25, 1969, Ser. No. 674,464, Oct. 11,1967. Application for reissue Feb. 23, 1971, Ser. No. 118,149

Int. Cl. H01r 13/48 US. Cl. 339--59 R 26 Claims Matter enclosed in heavybrackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of thisreissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additionsmade by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A connector block for receiving and removablyholding an electrical terminal in a cavity is provided with a cam and alatch longitudinally spaced along one side of the cavity so that duringinsertion of the terminal into the cavity the cam engages the terminaland holds the latch away from the terminal to prevent wearing away ofthe latch by repeated insertion of the terminal into the cavity. Whenthe terminal is fully inserted, the latch falls in place to secure theterminal in the cavity. The cam and latch are located on a flexiblestrip formed in the side of the cavity with both ends of the stripsecured to the block to facilitate movement of the cam and latch awayfrom the terminal by flexing of the strip.

Background of the invention The invention relates to insulatingconnector blocks for removably holding circuit elements, particularlyelectric terminals.

In conventional connector blocks terminals are inserted into theterminal cavities so that portions of the terminal engage latch portionsof the connector block and prevent withdrawal of the terminal from thecavity. If it is desired to remove the terminal from the cavity, a toolmay be inserted into the cavity to bias the portion of the terminalengaging the latch away from the latch, following which the terminal maybe removed from the cavity. This type of conventional latching mechanismhas the disadvantage that with repeated insertion and withdrawal of theterminal the connector block latch is worn down by the terminal and isno longer capable of properly securing the terminal in the terminalcavity. The failure of a single terminal latch in a multi-terminalconnector block necessitates the replacement of the entire block toremedy the condition.

Summary of the invention In a connector block according to the inventioninsertion of a terminal into the terminal cavity automatically moves theterminal latch away from the cavity until the terminal has been seatedin the cavity. At this time the lach drops back into engagement with theterminal to secure the same against movement in the cavity. Movement ofthe terminal latch is achieved by providing a cam in the cavity sidewall carrying the latch so that during insertion the terminal willengage the cam and move it and the associated latch away from theterminal, thus eliminating insertion wear on the latch. The flexing ofthe cam and latch away from the terminal during insertion is improved bypositioning them on a strip portion of the connector block. While thelatch secures and accurately locates the terminal in position within theterminal cavity, the cam provides a fail-safe lock for preventingremoval of the terminal from the cavity in case of latch failure.

When it is desired to remove the terminal from the cavity the stripportion of the connector block on which the cam and latch are mountedmay be flexed away from the cavity by a suitable tool, thus bringing thecam and latch out of engagement with the terminal and permitting freeremoval from the connector block.

Description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connectorblock according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along line 2-2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially broken away top view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are similar to FIG. 4 and illustrate insertion of aterminal into a terminal cavity in the connector block.

Description of the preferred embodiment FIG. 1 shows a one-piececonnector block'10 which is preferably formed from insulating materialhaving a degree of resiliency, such as a plastic. The block 10 isprovided with a number of double ended terminal cavities 12 which extendthroughout the breadth of the block. Female contact terminals 14 areheld in cavities 12, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in position to receivemale contact elements (not shown) which are inserted into the cavitiesthrough openings 16 located on one side face of the block. Theseopenings are provided with bevels 18 to facilitate insertion of the malecontacts into the cavities 12 and into electrical connection withterminals 14. Each of the terminals 14 is secured to an insulated wire20 by means of a wire crimp ferrule 22 and insulation crimp ferrule 24.

Slits 26 extend through the top wall 28 of the connector block adjacentthe cavity side walls 30 and run along nearly the entire length of thecavities. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the slits 26 have approximatelythe same longitudinal extent along cavities 12 as terminals 14 whenfully inserted into block 10. The slits in top wall 28 define alongitudinally extending strip 32 at the top of each cavity. Because ofthe resiliency of the material used to form block 10, the strips 32 areslightly flexible Each strip 32 carries an inwardly projecting cammember 34 and an inwardly projecting latch member 36. Both cam and latchmembers 34 and 36 extend laterally across the width of the strips 32. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, cam member 34 projects into the terminal cavity12 slightly further than latch member 36. Flat locking faces 38 and 40are provided on the side of cam member 34 and latch member 36respectively facing cavity opening 16. The other side faces 42 and 44 ofcam and latch members 34 and 36 respectively slope toward strip 32. Aflat contact surface 46 is provided on cam member 34.

The top 48 of contact terminal 14 is provided with a lateral slot 50 sothat when the terminal is fully inserted into the cavity 12, latchmember 36 extends into the slot and side face or latch 40 of latchmember engages the lead edge of the slot to prevent withdrawal of theterminal from the cavity. The cam member 34 projects away from strip 32and past the top 48 of the terminal to pro vide a fail-safe stop in theunlikely event that latch member 36 fails. The terminal 14 is preventedfrom movement toward opening 16 by lead end 52 which abuts bevel 18.

Terminals 14 are inserted into the terminal cavities 12 of the connectorblock through openings 54 of the cavities located on the opposite sideof the connector block from openings 16. As shown in FIGURE 5, theterminal 14 is freely pushed into the cavity 12 until the lead end ofthe top 48 of the terminal engages beveled or tapered surface 42 of cammember 34. Continued insertion of the terminal into the cavity causesthe cam member to ride up on to top 48 of the terminal and flex thestrip 32 away from re terminal. The flexing of the strip moves the latchiember 36 away from the terminal during insertion. hen the terminal isfully inserted with lead end 52 abutng bevel 18, cam member 34 hasfallen off of terminal 48 and latch member 36 has fallen into groove 50t engage the lead edge thereof and prevent withdrawal the terminal fromthe cavity.

As cam member 34 rides up onto the top 48. of the rminal 14, there is acertain amount of wear on face 2 due to contact with the sharp corner ofthe terminal. ith repeated insertions of the terminal into the cavity,.ce 42 of the cam member is gradually worn. Because 1e cam member rideson the top of the terminal and axes the strip 32 away therefrom, thereis no appreciable ear on the latch means 36 arising from repeatedinserans of the terminal into the cavity. Thus despite the fact at thetrailing side of cam member 36 becomes worn, re latch member remainsintact to assure that the termi- 11 14 is positively held in theconnector block. Because [6 cam member is provided with a wide, flatcontact sur- .ce 46 of appreciable longitudinal extent, the wear of ice42 does not reduce the altitude of the cam member permit latch 36 toengage the top of the terminal.

During insertion of the terminal into the connector .ock the cam member34 rides along the top of the rminal and momentarily falls into slot 50as the termi- 11 is moved from the position shown in FIGURE to eposition shown in FIGURE 6. During the time the rm member 34 is withinslot 50, latch member 36 slides ong the top 48 of the terminal. However,because the ngitudinal extent of the cam member 34 is large relative tthat of the slot 50, the latch member 36 is in contact ith the terminalfor only a very short distance. The slidg of cam member 34 and latchmember 36 along the p of the terminal does not wear or deform either ofthe .embers appreciably because of the sliding nature of the intact andthe relatively low coefficient of friction be- 76811 the insulatingmaterial of block and the termill 14.

The portions of the tapered surface 42 and flat contact frface 46 whichengage terminal 14 during insertion a'eze the cam surface on cam member34 for moving the cking face or latch 40 away from the terminal duringsertion. The entire cam surface is physically spaced tart or separatedfrom the latch so that the latch is not am down when the cam engages theterminal during sertion.

Side wall 42 of cam member 34 slopes into the lower lrface of strip 32at an angle of about 30. It has been und that by forming the surface 42at this angle the rminal 14 may be easily inserted into the terminal.vity without requiring undue force in order to cam the rip 32 away fromthe terminal. Additionally, by utilizing cam angle of approximately 30,wear between cam ember 34 and the leading edge of the terminal top 48reduced.

The terminal 14 may be removed from the terminal ivity 12 by insertingan appropriate tool through cavity Jts 26 so that it engages the strip32, and then moving e tool away from the connector block to flex thestrip vay from the cavity and bring members 34, 36 out of lgagement withthe terminal. Removal of the terminal then completed by pulling on wireto slide the termi- L1 14 out of the cavity.

The fiat bottom surface 56 of terminal 14 slides freealong the flatbottom surface 58 of cavity 12 to facilite easy insertion and removal ofthe terminal from the tnnector block 10. The length of the cavity 12 isgreater an the length of terminal 14 so that the connector block l fullyinsulates the inserted terminal against accidental ectrical contact withother circuit elements.

The invention has been described in connection with connector block fora contact terminal. However, it is )I; intended to be limited to aconnector block for holding such a terminal. The connector block 10 maybe utilized to hold any type of a circuit element in a desired location.Thus the term terminal as used in the following claims refers to anytype of circuit element, such as a thermistor, diode, resistor,thermocouple and the like. It is not necessary to practice of theinvention that the terminal is secured to a wire. The connector blockmay be used to hold a splice type terminal in place whereby circuitelements may be inserted into the connector through one or both ends ofthe cavity.

While we have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of ourinvention, it is understood that this is capable of modification, and wetherefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth butdesire to avail ourselves of such changes and alterations as fall withinthe purview of the following claims.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. A connector block for a terminal comprising an insulating housinghaving a terminal cavity therein communicating with one side of thehousing to form a terminal entrance and including a flexible wall forsaid cavity, latch means and cam means spaced apart on said wall by asurface on the wall free of the terminal daring insertion of theterminal into the cavity, said latch means operable to engage part of aterminal when said terminal is fully inserted into said cavity so as tohold the same in the cavity, said cam means extending into the cavityfor engagement with the terminal to flex the wall outwardly of thecavity and move said latch means out of the path of the terminal duringinsertion of the terminal into the cavity.

2. A connector block as in claim 1 wherein said latch means comprises astop extending into said cavity and includes a locking surface facingaway from said entrance and engageable with said part of said terminalfor holding the terminal against withdrawal from the cavity, said cammeans extending into said cavity further than said latch means.

3. A connector block as in claim 1 wherein said cam means includes afiat contact surface at its apex and a cam surface facing toward saidentrance and sloping from said contact surface toward said wall.

4. A connector block as in claim 3 wherein said cam surface slopestoward said wall at an angle of about 30.

5. A connector block as in claim 2 wherein said cam means and latchmeans are spaced along said wall relative to said entrance with said cammeans located between said entrance and said latch means.

6. A connector block as in claim 1 wherein said housing is provided withat least one slit in said wall adjacent said cam and latch means tofacilitate flexing of said wall.

7. A connector block as in claim 6 wherein said slit extends away fromsaid entrance and said cam means is located between said entrance andsaid latch means.

8 A connector block as in claim 7 wherein said latch means comprises astop extending into said cavity and includes a locking surface facingaway from said entrance and engageable with said part of said terminalfor holding the terminal against withdrawal from the cavity, said cammeans extending into said cavity further than said latch means.

9. A connector block as in claim 2 wherein said housing includes meansto limit insertion of the terminal into said cavity to a position wheresaid locking surface of said latch means engages said part of theterminal.

10. A connector block as in claim 1 wherein said cavity is provided withan opening opposite said entrance to permit insertion of a circuitelement through said opening and into the cavity for engagement with theterminal.

11. A connector block for a terminal comprising an in sulating housinghaving a terminal cavity therein communicating with one side of thehousing to form a terminal entrance, a flexible strip forming at least apart of one side of said cavity, latch means and cam means spaced aparton said strip by a surface on the strip free of the terminal duringinsertion of the terminal into the cavity, said latch means operable toengage part of a terminal when the latter is fully inserted into saidcavity so as to hold the same in the cavity, said cam means extendinginto the cavity for engagement with the terminal to flex said stripoutwardly of the cavity and move said latch means out of the path of theterminal during insertion of the terminal into said cavity.

12. A connector block as in claim 11 wherein opposite ends of said stripare secured to said housing and said cam and latch means are located onthe median portion of said strip.

13. A connector block as in claim 12 wherein said cam and latch meansare longitudinally spaced along said strip With said cam means betweensaid entrance and said latch means.

14. A connector block as in claim 13 wherein said latch means comprisesa stop extending into said cavity and includes a locking sufarec facingaway from said entrance and engageable with a part of said terminal forholding the terminal against withdrawal from the cavity, and whereinsaid cam means includes a cam surface facing said entrance and slopingtoward said strip for engaging said terminal during insertion thereof toflex said strip away from said cavity and move said latch means out ofthe path of said terminal during insertion of said terminal into saidcavity.

15. A connector block as in claim 14 wherein said housing includes meansto limit insertion of the terminal into said cavity to a position wheresaid locking surface of said latch means engages said part of theterminal.

16. A connector block as in claim 15 wherein said cavity is providedwith an opening opposite said entrance to permit insertion of a circuitelement through said opening and into the cavity for engagement with theterminal.

17. A connector block for a terminal comprising an insulating housinghaving a terminal cavity therein communicating with one side of thehousing to form a terminal entrance, a flexible portion of the connectorblock forming at least a part of one side of said cavity, latch meansand cam means entirely spaced apart on said portion by a surface on theportion free of the terminal during insertion of the terminal into thecavity, said latch means operable to engage part of a terminal when thelatter is fully inserted into said cavity so as to hold the same in thecavity, said cam means extending into the cavity for engagement with theterminal to flex said portion outwardly of the cavity and thereby movesaid latch means out of the path of the terminal during insertion of theterminal into said cavity.

18. A connector block for a terminal comprising an insulating housinghaving a terminal cavity therein communicating with one side of thehousing to form a terminal entrance and including a flexible portionadjacent said cavity, latch means and cam means on said portion, asurface on said portion entirely separating said latch means and cammeans, said latch means operable to engage part of a terminal when saidterminal is fully inserted into the cavity so as to hold the same in thecavity, said cam means extending into the cavity for engagement with theterminal to flex said portion outwardly of the cavity and move saidlatch means our of the path of the terminal during insertion of theterminal into the cavity without engagement between the terminal and thesurface.

19. A connector block for a terminal comprising a housing having aterminal cavity therein communicating with one side of the housing toform a terminal entrance, at flexible portion of said housing forming atleast a part of one side of said cavity, a latch and a cam on saidportion, said latch including a latching surface facing away from saidentrance, said cam including a cam surface extending into said cavityfor engagement with the terminal to move said portion outwardly of thecavity and thereby move said latch surface out of the path of insertionof the terminal into the cavity, said cam surface and said latch surfacebeing entirely spaced apart on said portion by a surface on the portionfree of the terminal during insertion of the terminal into the cavity.

20. A connector block as in claim 19 wherein said cam is located betweensaid latch and said entrance.

2]. A opnnecto-r block as in claim 19 wherein said cam is locatedbetween said latch and said entrance and said cam extends into thecavity a distance further than said latch.

22. A connector block as in claim 19 wherein said portion comprises aflexible strip formed from said housing and said cam and latch arespaced longitudinally along said strip.

23. A connector block as in claim 22 wherein said strip extends awayfrom said entrance.

24. A connector block for a terminal comprising an insulating housinghaving a terminal cavity therein communicating with one side of thehousing to forma terminal entrance, a flexible strip fiorming at least apart of one side of said cavity, a pair of physically spaced apartprojections on said strip extending into said cavity, a latch surfacefacing away from said entrance on one of said projections for engaging apart to a terminal when the latter is fully inserted into the cavity soas to hold the same in the cavity, a cam surface on the other of saidprojections extending into said cavity for engagement with a terminalduring insertion thereiof into the cavity to flex said strip outwardlyof the cavity and thereby move said latch surface out of the path of theterminal during insertion of the terminal into the cavity.

25. A connector block for a terminal comprising an insulating housinghaving a terminal cavity therein communicating with one side of thehousing to form a terminal entrance, a flexible portion of said housingforming at least a part of one side of said cavity, a latch surface onsaid portion for preventing withdrawal of the terminal from the cavity,a cam surface on said portion and a third surface on said portionentirely separating said latch surface from said cam surface, said camsurface being engageable with a terminal during insertion of theterminal into the cavity to move said portion out of the cavity andthereby hold said latch out of the path of insertion of the terminal asthe terminal is moved into the cavity without engagement between theterminal and the third surface.

26. A connector block as in claim 25 wherein said portion comprises aflexible strip extending away from said entrance and said cam and latchsurfaces are spaced along said strip with said cam surface locatedbetween said latch surface and said entrance.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,791,755 5/1957 Hammell 339256 X 3,012,15912/1961 =Druesedow 339-217 3,101,958 8/1963 Skony 339-217 X FOREIGNPATENTS 959,500 6 1964 Great Britain.

RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 339-256 SP

